Amy Adejokun
Section editor
This "Small Luxury of the World" is a charming hotel, very well located in a calmer area at the heart of the city. The rooms are romantic and very comfortable, the welcome is friendly, the food is delicious, the concierge is keen to please and the whisky bar is classy. All of this makes for a very popular establishment.
Brooks Hotel - © Alexis Bidegain/Easypresse
Brooks Hotel - © Alexis Bidegain/Easypresse
The Brooks is located in an alley that is quite difficult to find (on a one way street). In D2, the hotel is close to Grafton Street, Trinity College, Temple Bar and Dublin Castle. Dublin International Airport is a little over 6 mi away and the journey may take 35 minutes or longer depending on the traffic.
The 98 rooms come in several categories: 40 standard rooms, 46 Deluxe rooms, 4 Executive rooms, 2 Junior suites and a Presidential suite. The difference between the two first categories is the size and the quiet they provide (the latter being close to the roof and thus quieter, but they don't afford much of a view!). All the standard rooms overlook the street. The rooms include a plasma screen TV (with 14 channels), double-glazing (not always sufficient), a kettle with tea and coffee, an electronic safe, individual air conditioning, a phone, and an iron with an ironing board. The bathrooms include a bathtub, a three-paned mirror, a sink built into black granite, bathrobes (upon request), scales (in the superior rooms), a hair dryer and welcome toiletries from the "White Company". The Deluxe rooms are functional and very comfortable with wall-to-wall carpet and parquet floors, soft bedding (red, cream and light green), wooden headsboard, reading lights and a small old fashioned radio (Robert's): the interior seems to have been designed for business travellers. The other rooms are a lot more romantic and were our favourite. Classy and cosy, they include nice velvet sofas, a large mirror with a painted wooden frame, a fabric-upholstered headboard, etc. The walls are decorated with plant patterns. Wooden figurines add a particular touch to the already unique atmosphere of the rooms. There is a menu that offers a selection of pillows. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
This hotel is decently sized and occupies a 6 storey building that was built in the 20s. It opened in 1997 and an extension was added in 2007. The delimitation of the two buildings is not noticeable. The entrance is very enjoyable with green, cream and brown tones. The reception desk is surrounded by nice woodwork. There are three communal areas that open out onto each other. They occupy a long and narrow hall with wood panels, lovely light fixtures that adorn the walls, and a bar with beautiful leather and velvet armchairs. The owner has made every effort in terms of interior decorating. There is a lounge area in the windowless cellar, which is accessed with the key to your room. Pleasantly secluded, this area enables guests to comfortably recline in sofas while reading a book borrowed from the library. Light woodwork is also very present here. The business centre includes two computers connected to the Internet. Next to it, there is a tiny fitness room with three machines and a sauna. There are two lifts that will take you up to the various floors. There is also a concierge service.
Every morning, there is a delicious breakfast served from 7:00am to 10:00am during weekdays and from 8:00am to 11:30am on weekends. You can choose from the buffet or the à la carte menu. Don't miss the delicious Brooks porridge with a dash of whiskey! Alcohol-free, it is a very enjoyable traditional dish. Once breakfast is over, the room reverts back to a café, for lack of space. Lunch is served from 11:00am to 5:30pm. The dishes offered are simple and limited in choice (some sandwiches). Mocktails, cocktails, various teas tea and afternoon tea are also on offer. There is musical entertainment provided by a pianist from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. The small "Francesca's" restaurant (named after the owner's mum) is right next to the café. It serves traditional Irish cooking, well prepared and beautifully presented. The Stew is made with organic meat and the origin of each meat is given.
The hotel bar is part of the "Great Whisky Bars of the World". Tasting sessions of this divine potion cost 30 pounds per person and enable guests to try five different sorts of whisky served by a truly remarkable barman. The menu is magnificent and gives a detailed explanation of each whisky (or whiskey) and its origins, the way it's made, its taste, etc.).
Parking is a real nightmare in the capital. Furthermore, it's impossible to park in front of the hotel, but a parking valet can take your car to a nearby car park where hotel guests enjoy a discount.
The Wifi and use of the computers is free.
The hotel's central location makes it very popular, especially during weekends.
sauna, Turkish bath, keep fit, beauty salon, spa
sports, tennis, gym, fitness
Isabelle B.
Hotel qui mérite ses 4 étoiles par l'accueil du personnel (très compétent, souriant et toujours près à rendre service) et par son style général. Chambres jolies, confortables et propres. Un bémol pour le rideau de douche et la proximité de l'ascenseur pour la chambre qui nous était allouée. Très bon petit déjeuner. Bien situé. A retenir pour un week end détente à Dublin.
A coté du quartier animé de Temple Bar. Chambres confortables Qualité de l'accueil
Certaines chambres mal isolées donc on entend les bruits du couloir et de l'ascenseur
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